Activities ran long during the Saturday morning session of the Mothers’ Union conference and now there’s an early afternoon lull. The slower pace, so different from other days at the large gathering in Tsabong, is a little disorienting at first. Then I realize all is not as it seems on the surface. In fact, many women have gone off to prepare for the evening’s “music competition,” the second of the big contests held every year. Around four o’clock things begin to pick up; there’s anticipation in the air. Five pula - about 75 cents - buys a ticket for entry to the competition. Sodas and juices are also being sold. The assembly hall fills rapidly. Through the windows I see the members of all-female choirs from churches throughout the Diocese of Botswana queuing up outside. They form a human rainbow, the colors of their various uniforms - peach, aqua, lilac, orange - bright against the muted hues of the Kalahari Desert. Two judges take their seats at a table facing a makeshift stage and immediately begin to confer. Contestants will be rated in six categories. The top possible score is 100, and in addition to bragging rights, winning first place means going home with the handsome trophy sitting on the judges’ table.
The competition is opened first with a prayer of thankfulness for voices that can sing and praise Jesus. This is followed by an exhortation to all present to focus less on the competitive aspect of things and more on the joy of singing. Generally speaking, In Botswana and other parts of Africa, some Anglican churches have choir directors, but for most others having professional or semi-professional direction is an unbelievable luxury. Therefore, choirs temporarily hire coaches for occasions such as this or lead themselves. Each of the seven choirs present goes through a series of vocal warm-ups, then they sing the same hymn. The words may be foreign but the melody is instantly recognizable. It’s when they get to the free form part of the program that the fun really begins, though. Here they let loose, combining Anglican traditionalism with traditional African singing techniques.There’s even some choreography, though the bigger choirs must step carefully on the small stage. The crowd eats it up. And why not? They aren’t expected to be passive listeners. Making a joyful noise and joyful movement involves everyone.
Next week: The win, the challenge, and what happened in-between. For short videos of the MU choirs in action, see below.